Local shops join in Free Comic Book Day on Saturday

Comic book shops across the country, including several in central Ohio, will celebrate the annual Free Comic Book Day on Saturday by giving free comic books to everyone who visits their stores.

Comic book shops across the country, including several in central Ohio, will celebrate the annual Free Comic Book Day on Saturday by giving free comic books to everyone who visits their stores.

Launched in 2002, Free Comic Book Day is held the first Saturday in May each year.

Many publishers have produced special issues for the day to promote their lines. Each store sets its own policies for the day, with some stores giving visitors the chance to pick out specific books and other stores handing out a pre-selected sampler pack.

Some participating shops have turned the event into an open house that promotes comic books and their art and culture.

Packrat Comics, 3864 Lattimer Square in Hilliard, will have one of the biggest parties locally, featuring a concert, costume contest,and carnival games for kids. They also will have several comic book artists making appearances and autograph sessions with actor Brian O’Halloran from the films Clerks, Dogma and Mallrats.

Comic Town, 1249 Morse Rd., will have face painting and balloons for kids and visits from local artists as well as free comic books.